Alumni events

2021-2022 alumni events

eighth-grade leadership luncheon After a two-year hiatus, Rectory held an in-person Eighth-Grade Leadership Luncheon on June 2, 2022, the last academic day of the school year. The entire Class of 2023 and many of their parents, grandparents, and families gathered, along with a solid contingent of Rectory faculty and staff, to celebrate the end of the school year and look forward to what lay ahead. Head of School Fred Williams welcomed everyone to the Dining Hall and explained the purpose of the event, which was twofold: to recognize those eighth-grade students moving on to secondary schools next year and to inspire those students, the majority of the class, who planned to return to Rectory for their ninth-grade year. Mr. Williams praised the class for their hard work in the classroom and during activities and commended them for rising to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic. Indeed, these eighthgrade students will be unable to remember their time at Rectory without thinking of COVID-19, but seeing the Dining Hall filled with students and their families enjoying a meal was a refreshing indication that life was returning to some degree of normalcy.

Mr. Williams then called up each of the 11 departing eighth-grade students to receive a certificate of eighth-grade completion and an alumnus pin. In doing so, Mr. Williams also announced the secondary school each student planned to attend. In one case, he could not help singling out the student’s choice because she was moving from Rectory School whose head of school is Fred Williams to Cate School whose Head of School is Ben Williams, Fred’s brother. While taking what he called the “obligatory selfie” with the student to send to his brother, Fred quipped, “You’re not going to like him as much as you like me!” Mr. Williams then wished all departing students well in their next chapter and invited them all to return home to Rectory whenever they are able.

Mr. Williams then introduced Norm Riker ’85 to give the keynote address. Though the message applied to all students, and really everyone in the room, Mr. Riker’s address was focused on leadership and geared toward those students returning to Rectory for their ninth-grade year. Being the oldest students on campus would afford certain privileges, but there would also be a lot more responsibility. Mr. Riker recounted his younger years growing up on Block Island where his father was the police chief. He mentioned a few uncomfortable family dinners when his behavior found him meeting up with his father “in his work attire.” Mr. Riker said that Rectory turned his life around and set him on the right path. He shared vivid memories of experiences that taught him some hard lessons and others that helped him develop confidence. Mr. Riker suggested that, contrary to what one might think, failure is an important component of leadership. He invited the eighth-grade class to try new things and to push themselves. Instead of fearing failure, Mr. Riker said, they should embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. He concluded his comments by reminding students they have received, and will continue to need, help to achieve their dreams and that they should always remember to appreciate their parents, families, and teachers who support their development into the leaders of tomorrow. After Mr. Riker concluded, returning ninth graders were asked to stand and be acknowledged for a job well done this year.

leaving the wolf den Rectory’s Class of 2022 began their end-of-year festivities with a burgeoning tradition called Leaving the Wolf Den. It was a chance for the soon-to-be graduates to reflect on their time at Rectory and begin to consider what it means to be a Rectory alumnus/a. Leaving the Wolf Den took place in our student center known, appropriately, as the Wolf Den, on May 19, and students were treated to a special take-out lunch for the occasion.

Alumni from years past remember the Wolf Den space as their Dining Hall, and several alumni who returned to campus for Centennial Weekend commented that they couldn’t believe they all fit in the space back then. The room was crowded with Rectory students at mealtime again, and it created a nice connection to the alumni community the students would be joining a few short weeks later. The Alumni and Development Office hosted the event, and John Xeller, alumni relations manager, welcomed the class and described the purpose of Leaving the Wolf Den. The program included an introduction to Alumni and Development staff and an explanation of ways to keep in touch with Rectory after graduation. One of the best ways to stay connected with Rectory is first to keep in touch with one another. In order to facilitate connections among their peers, class agents were chosen based on nominations made by faculty and administrators. Class agents agreed to check in with some of their Rectory classmates a few times each year and lead efforts to remain involved with our school however they are able.

Students then had an opportunity to consider their time at Rectory and think intentionally about what they hoped their future might look like. After they were given a prompt, students spent around 15 minutes writing letters to their future self. Upon completing their letter, students sealed it and handed it to Alumni and Development staff for safe-keeping. The letters will be returned to the students in person or via mail on the occasion of their tenth Rectory reunion in 2032. Knowing their last three weeks on campus were going to be hectic, the students really valued the chance to consider who they are, what they are experiencing, and where they hope the road ahead may lead.

family weekends Fall Family Weekend took place in October, and our student families appreciated getting an in-depth experience of campus, many for the first time due to prior pandemic-related restrictions. The weekend program was a hybrid model that included both virtual and in-person events. Families who were unable to travel to Pomfret were able to participate in parent-teacher conferences as well as view student artwork and musical performances. On Friday evening, guests attended the fall concert, Rectory’s Greatest Hits, which included performances by Rectory’s instrumental and vocal groups. The program also included a welcome from Fred Williams and the “all school video” that featured photos and videos of the school year to that point. After the concert, families and students enjoyed a wonderful al fresco dinner prepared by Rectory’s outstanding kitchen staff. Saturday featured the usual slate of athletic competitions and demonstrations, and this year, two different campus tours were added to the schedule that appealed to both new and returning Rectory families. The academic building tour showed off the new Innovation Lab as well as the renovated science labs in the SPIROL Science Wing, and the route passed through a gallery of student artwork. The historical tour was led by Rectory administrator and Archivist Lisa Levesque and traced our school’s 100-year history by visiting important campus landmarks. Guests were treated to plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures, and a delicious cookout, and the Rectory Parents’ Association provided snacks, games, and inflatables for all the kids in attendance. Campus was buzzing with excitement as it always does on family weekend. Spring Family Weekend coincided with the Celebration for a Century. The mingling of current families and employees with alumni, past faculty, and all Centennial guests was particularly special. You may read all about Centennial events elsewhere in this issue. Events specific to Spring Family Weekend included: classroom visits, the spring concert, lunch in Colhoun Gymnasium, elementary school grandparents and special friend day, and Middle School parent-advisor meetings. Guests reported enjoying seeing their students’ teachers in actions as they observed classes throughout the day. The spring concert was presented in two sessions—the first featuring primarily students in grades K-6 and the second featuring performers in orchestra, jazz, guitar, RECapella, and the school musical—with both receiving rave reviews from attendees. Campus looked incredible and all events went off without a hitch thanks to Rectory’s wonderful staff, and the excitement on our students’ faces said it all—Spring Family Weekend was an unequivocal success.